Preview

Theoretical Underpinnings

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
5917 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Theoretical Underpinnings
JOURNAL

ON

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, VOLUME 11 NUMBER 1

A Model of Stress in Families of Children with
Developmental Disabilities:
Clinical and Research Applications
Adrienne Perry
Department of Psychology, York University, Downsview, ON, and
TRE-ADD Program, Thistletown Regional Centre, Etobicoke, ON

Abstract
This paper presents a theoretical model for understanding stress and related issues in families of children with developmental disabilities (DD). It first describes the theoretical underpinnings in the literature on stress and coping in individuals and on family stress. The proposed model includes Stressors (Child Characteristics and
Other Life Stressors), Resources (Individual 's Personal
Resources and Family
…show more content…

Each of these is a large body of work with its own theories and methodologies. Perry (1989) reviewed them in some detail, as they pertained to the development of the proposed model. It goes well beyond the scope of the present paper to do so here, but key highlights are noted throughout.
In the present paper, different understandings of stress will be reviewed first; then the model itself will be described. Second, research and clinical implications pertinent to each domain of the model will then be discussed.
Third, strengths and weaknesses of the model will be suggested and it will be contrasted to other available models. Finally, several applications of the model in empirical research will be presented as illustrations.

Conceptualization of Stress
Four different conceptualizations or definitions of stress can be distinguished, each with its own body of literature, and each has been applied to families of children with DD. First, in one of the earliest theories
(Selye, 1980), stress is understood as the physiological and
…show more content…

We need to value and respect certain religious and/or philosophical beliefs that we may not share. We have to be careful about whether, when, and how we address parents ' denial and
"irrational" beliefs (e.g., that the child will be cured), since these may be necessary coping or defence mechanisms, and/or they may generate considerable energy to work with the child. The other major clinical implication to be drawn from this section is that professionals ' dealings with parents should be conducted, as far as possible, in such a way as to enhance parents ' self-esteem and sense of control over their situation. This proviso could affect the way we present diagnostic information to parents, explain assessment results, demonstrate treatment techniques, and so on. Again, coping abilities and internal resources may be appropriate targets of individual or family intervention in some situations.
Family System Resources
Family System Resources are comprised of variables that tap family functioning, marital satisfaction, and demographic variables (such as SES and marital status). The family stress literature and the theoretical models

8


You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    As a teacher of young children I am aware of the need to involve parents in child’s educational and developmental process. Each parent is an expert and a valuable partner when it comes to identifying and meeting their child’s needs. As I reflect on my teaching practices, I make sure tha I provide a variety of opportunities for parents as well as family members to participate in activities and experiences planned for their child. By valuing parents’ involvement in the total education of their children, it shows my competence in meeting Standard IV.…

    • 439 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    2. Their parents, on the other hand, will feel that we value their children and will be able to coordinate with us effectively to help in the learning and development process.…

    • 387 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Edu 234 Article One

    • 263 Words
    • 1 Page

    of parenting a child, it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the child’s behavior is sufficient to live in…

    • 263 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Rhetorical analysis

    • 574 Words
    • 2 Pages

    the style utilized to raise a child, how successful children become is dependent on the parents.…

    • 574 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The parent’s evenings recently took place at the school where I work. During each appointment, the teacher had to explain to the parents of each pupil, exactly how their child was progressing in school.…

    • 2892 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Themes of Frankenstein

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Parents learn how to parent from their own parents. Each generation socializes children on what is expected in the home, how to behave in public, and how to treat other people. They show by example how valued the child is as he goes through his developmental stages and the crises of life. Not all parents are equipped with the knowledge of how a child develop. (Scholz 5)…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Three Types Of Parenting

    • 2497 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Parenting and the way one chooses to parent is so crucial to child development; it affects every aspect of the child’s life. Parenting styles are choices and there is no right or wrong way to raise a child. In society there may be, but it only matters how to the person raising their child. There are endless ways people raise their children and even though we have four main parenting styles, sometimes many parents don’t even fit into one. Parents should just strive to raise their children as well as they can. The biggest thing a parent can do for their child is to teach them, support them, and be there for them. “At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents.” - Jane D.…

    • 2497 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    When parents have their first child, it is often a shocking experience, especially when deciding how to raise them throughout their childhood. Often times, they create their parenting style by how they were raised. It is important that when parents are developing a philosophy for raising successful children they consider the importance of pushing their kids to achieve good grades to benefit from later, to let them be themselves and make some of their own decisions to learn from, and lastly by letting them deal with some of their own conflicts, not always being a “helicopter” parent.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    * It should develop the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their full potential…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Accomplishments can expand exertion of the child. The attributions of support can originate from the parents. The parental determination with motivation incorporates parent-children communication about children's activities, and interests, parent-children talks about choosing homework and parents volunteering at the school.…

    • 329 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Workplace Challenges

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Many nations and various groups compete and continuously reposition theirselves to gain international standing in the post modern world. 21st. Century America is no exeption and continues to remain one of the “standouts” of this global socio-economic matrix.…

    • 1570 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    INTRODUCTION Origin of the stress concept predates antiquity. Even prehistoric man must have recognized a common element in loss of vigor and a sense of exhaustion that overcame him after hard labour, intense fear, and lengthy exposure to cold or heat, starvation, loss of blood or any kind of strenuous exertion. The objective of this paper is to understand the meaning of stress and provide few definitions. Also to explain the methodology to measure stress among police personnel. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, stress was equated with force, pressure or strain exerted upon a material object or person which resists these forces and attempts to maintain its original state. The term stress has been used variously to refer to a) stimulus (external force acting on the organism), b) response (changes in the physiological functions), c) interaction (interaction between an external force and the resistance opposed to it), and d) more comprehensive combinations of the above factors. In psychology, stress refers to a state of the organism resulting from some interaction with the environment. In psycho-physiology, stress is that stimulus which imposes detectable strain that can be easily accommodated by the body and so presents itself as impaired health or behavior. In the stimulus –oriented approach, stress “ should be understood as that which happens to the man, not that which happens in him, it is a set of causes ,not a set of symptoms” Symonds (1974).According to Margetts (1975) living organisms adjust themselves to handle and maintain a reasonable input of…

    • 3209 Words
    • 92 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Paper

    • 1986 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Include a theoretical discussion on the usefulness of this model. Thereafter, briefly describe and apply each of the five elements in this model. (Total 500 - 600 words)…

    • 1986 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    inclass 2

    • 660 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Parenting can be a source of tremendous pleasure over a lifespan.But, it's also a time-consuming and a difficult job for parents. In addition to satisfying their children's basic physical needs, parents can face lots challenges of upbringing such as intellectual, emotional and social development of their offspring. Like every child, every parent is different. However, all good parents share some basic qualities that help their children develop into responsible adults.Parents have eyes only for their children's future and they do everything for them. But doing everything is not enough for being a good parent.To be a good parent,parents have to face with some requirements that you have to follow and apply them if you want to be a good parent for their children.…

    • 660 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    every good boy

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This essay will deal with the parental expectations to their kids and prove that putting to much pressure on them can be fatal.…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics